天美传媒

Beacon Bash Homecoming Weekend brings together members of the UMass Boston community.

Nearly 700 alumni and friends returned to UMass Boston last month, setting a new attendance record at Beacon Bash 2025—the university’s signature two-day homecoming celebration. Now in its fourth year, Beacon Bash has quickly become a favorite annual tradition, giving alumni a reason to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate their alma mater against the backdrop of Boston Harbor. 

“Beacon Bash is a great reminder that our connection to UMass Boston doesn’t end at graduation,” said Young Alumni Council President Elizabeth West ’19. “It has become a wonderful opportunity for alumni to come together and celebrate, reconnect with fellow alumni and our alma mater, and reflect on how this wonderful community has shaped our lives.” 

The festivities opened September 19 with an all-alumni dinner on the Campus Center front lawn, followed by an outdoor screening of Disney’s The Haunted Mansion. The celebration didn’t stop there. The weekend was packed with activities that drew the UMass Boston community together for the annual event. Alumni, families, and friends were invited to kick off the morning with waterfront recreation activities at Fox Point Pavilion before taking to the starting line for the Beacon 5K and BBQ party. 

“Each year, this event gives us the opportunity to meet and connect with fellow Beacons who share the same sense of connection, pride, and purpose that began on our beautiful campus,” said West.

A highlight of the weekend for many was the second annual Golden Reunion Society (GRS) Celebration, which welcomed back alumni from the Class of 1975 and earlier. This special gathering honors those who have reached the milestone 50th reunion, bringing together graduates from both Boston State College and UMass Boston. Kathleen Driscoll-Ettinger ’68, a GRS planning committee member and proud Boston State College alumna, said she was proud to induct the newest members into the society.

“I was extremely gratified to see how warmly we Boston State College alumni were welcomed into the UMass Boston family,” she said. “The highlight of the night was welcoming the Class of 1975 into the Golden Reunion Society.” 

Reflecting on the event, newly inducted Golden Reunion Society member Ron Adams ’75 shared, “So many alumni spoke about how proud they were to be the first in their families to earn a 天美传媒 degree. Many also described their continued support for UMass Boston—their alma mater that opened so many doors. There was a real sense of gratitude in the room."

Beacon Bash traces its origins to April 2020, when the pandemic prompted Alumni Engagement to launch a series of virtual programs designed to keep the UMass Boston community connected. From cooking classes and comedy shows to virtual paint nights, alumni found new ways to engage from afar. But it was the first-ever virtual Beacon 5K that truly resonated—drawing more than 400 participants from around the globe and laying the groundwork for today’s on-campus, multi-day celebration. 

“We’re thrilled to see Beacon Bash grow year after year. It’s incredible to watch alumni from every generation come back, reconnect, and make new memories together. We’re already looking forward to making next year’s celebration even bigger and better,” said Director of Alumni Programs Courtney Ready ’04. “Our goal is to make sure everyone feels at home and a part of something special.” 

Want to help make Beacon Bash 2026 even more unforgettable? Join our planning committee! Email Courtney Ready at courtney.ready@umb.edu to get involved.